U-Turn by Centre at Gang Canal 100-Year event draws sharp reaction from Rajasthan visitors
Ferozepur, December 6, 2025: Despite the much-anticipated centenary celebration of the historic Gang Canal in Ferozepur which was abruptly cancelled on Thursday, triggering sharp reactions from 50 dignitaries and visitors who had arrived from Rajasthan for the event.
The ceremony was meant to commemorate 100 years since the foundation stone of the canal was laid by Maharaja Ganga Singh on December 5, 1925.
Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who had reached Amritsar to preside over the event as chief guest, was directed by the Prime Minister’s Office to return to Delhi immediately. With no official explanation provided, the sudden rollback left the gathering confused and disappointed.
The event, hosted by former Punjab minister and BJP leader Dr. Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, saw no participation from the host himself, further intensifying the discontent among the nearly 50-member delegation from Rajasthan including representatives - Guman Singh Rajpurohit, Rajendra Pawar, Mukesh Panwar, Ramgopal Pareek, Ramesh Bhati, and Santosh Anand Maharaj. The visiting guests strongly criticized what they termed the “most shameful example of administrative indifference” toward a historically significant milestone.
The Gang Canal, stretching 1,398 km along the Indo-Pak border, remains a crucial lifeline for irrigation in the Bikaner region. The centenary was expected to honour this engineering landmark, but the abrupt cancellation overshadowed the celebrations.
This incident marks yet another Punjab-related U-turn by the Central Government in recent times. Previous reversals include the withdrawal of the MSP-related legislation after extended farmer protests, the rollback of the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, cancellation of the Punjab University notification, and other Chandigarh- and governance-related decisions.
Dignitaries and local stakeholders have urged the Central Government to reassess its strategy to prevent further embarrassment and maintain credibility among the public.